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‘It’s not happening’ – Steve Nicol says Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t want the USMNT job
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- ‘It’s not happening’ – Steve Nicol says Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t want the USMNT job
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
The U.S. Soccer Federation are in limbo after the climax of the 2026 World Cup, with Mauricio Pochettino still undecided on his future.
There was always going to be difficulties involving Mauricio Pochettino's future after the 2026 World Cup, as clubs from Europe wait patiently.
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However, the manner in which the USMNT exited the tournament has made things even more uncomfortable, as Pochettino has to weigh up whether he can take them forward.
A 4-1 loss to Belgium was blown up by the fact that Donald Trump got involved in rescinding Folarin Balogun 's red card. And this has actually ended up doing more damage than good.
After such involvement and the Argentine's name being used in the same sentence, it's not just the football side of things that will be playing on his mind.
Steve Nicol thinks Mauricio Pochettino wants out of the USMNT
As good as it would be to see Mauricio Pochettino build for the future, there are some US soccer fans who have been campaigning for BJ Callaghan to take the job.
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Interestingly, Steve Nicol believes that there could soon be a vacancy for the USMNT job.
Talking on ESPN FC , he claims that the only reason he came to the U.S. was because of the World Cup.
"Why would Pochettino want to stay? Pochettino came to the U.S. because of the World Cup.
"He's not gonna stay with the U.S. because he wants to be involved in the Gold Cup, where he's gonna have half a team and not all his players.
"He said he wanted to change the culture? But he's got to say all the right things when he's in the job. He's got to sell it while he's in the job.
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"I mean, I just don't see how Mauricio Pochettino would want to stay on. Because not much is gonna happen between now and when? When's the next big tournament for the U.S., other than the Gold Cup?
"Why would he stay for the Gold Cup? It's not happening."
A four-year contract offer is on the table for Mauricio Pochettino and talks are scheduled with the U.S. Soccer Federation, but he has remained tight-lipped since the World Cup exit.
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